Crofton Parish Council
Minutes
of the Parish Council Meeting held on
Present: Councillors: Mrs G Towns, Mrs W Wrigg, S Bennett
T
Chalkley, JR Hewitt, P Jacques, G Makin,
G
Schofield & J Voros
Residents: Mrs R Salt & Mr B Murphy
Mr
G Schofield and Mr C Stead.
District
Councillors Ms M
Cummings
The
Clerk: J F Shillitoe
Apologies: Councillors: Mrs Duffy, S Duffy, G P Jackson, A Ripley,
G Isherwood & A Manifield.
WYP Pc Paul McMahon
The chairman Cllr P Jacques
presided over the meeting.
04/213
PC Colin Daley
presented the safe scheme report for November, firstly apologising for Pc
McMahon who was unable to attend due to other work commitments.
November’s report
was again generally very encouraging with the usual exceptions, those involving
the youth element.
Cllr Bennett reported
that other authorities have made steel containers available for use by local
youths has shelters and meetings places, the containers being virtually
indestructible and sited away from domestic property. Pc Daley confirmed that trials had been undertaking
but the take up was limited as it appears that our young people needed the
security of domesticity.
Pc Daley reported
that Paul was liasing with the youth service in an attempt to secure a mobile
youth club on Fridays, Paul would report further on this as talk’s progress.
A joint WMDC – West
Yorkshire Police Venture called Connections
has been set up, its aim been to contact the youths in an area to ascertain
their aspirations, funding was available to organise small local events and day
trips. Once any further information was available safe scheme officers would
make this available to councillors.
Cllrs reported that
the illegal use of motorcycles at the
Car parking along
Cllr Chalkley
commented on the apparent increase of assaults recently and wondered if there
was any underlying factor behind this, nobody had could offer an explanation.
The chairman
thanked PC Daley for attending the meeting, asking that he pass on the seasons
greetings to the safe scheme team.
The priorities for the
January to be:
Foot Patrol – As required,
concentrating on the village centre, Crofton High School, Crofton Infants,
Royal Oak, Medical Centre along with any other areas brought to the attention
of the safe scheme officers.
To monitor use of the seat at
the junction of Shay Lane and Harrison Road.
Monitor the Parish Cemetery.
Discourage illegal use of
motorcycles at Priory Ridge, Towers Close and adjacent land, High Street, Hare
Park Sidings and Santingley Lane Opencast.
Monitor the area adjacent to
the Pavilion on Hare Park Sidings.
Visit Pontefract Road to access
the parking of vehicles.
04/214 Ward Councillors
Cllr Cummings presented a short
report.
·
A meeting between Ward Councillors, officers of WMDC and
residents of Doncastor Road and Cambridge Crescent had taken place to discuss
the formal closure of the Webfell Site, the site is to be cleared and officers
are looking at a scheme to remove the entrance and install adequate kerbing.
·
Following representation from resident inquiries of
Property Services have indicated that funding may be available to assist with
work to the Doncaster Road War Memorial
·
Lighting of Sycamore Court had commenced and was on
schedule.
·
Work on the Youth Club will start in January 2005,
Maureen indicated that she had examined the plans relating to the perimeter
fence as requested be Cllr Jackson and was in full agreement that improvement
could be made in this area. And would pursue the matter further with the
education and planning departments.
·
Maureen is making inquiries as to whether Crofton still
has a Youth Worker assigned to it, if not, it should have.
The chairman thanked
Cllr Cummings for her report and support, wishing her all the compliments of
the season and asking that she passes these on to her ward 5 colleagues.
04/215 Public
Participation Session
1.
Directional Signage
Mrs Salt reported that there is no sign showing the route from Walton to
Crofton, the clerk to report to highways.
2.
Litter – Pontefract road
Mrs Salt reported that
Pontefract Road was littered with debris in the vicinity of the Priory School
Playing Fields.
Cllr Makin agreed to take up the matter with Crofton Juniors who use the
football pitch at the site.
04/216 Declaration
of Interests in Items on the Agenda
No declarations were made.
04/217 Matters
to be Discussed in Private
It was proposed, seconded and
agreed that the public and the press be excluded during discussions involving
staffing and the financial status of outside organisations.
04/218 Minutes
The following addition to the
minutes of the meeting held on 16th November was made after which
the Chairman signed them as a correct record
·
04/210/9 Christmas
Lighting
Cllr Bennett
asked what progress had been made with Street Lighting and AMEY in
respect of
the provision of Christmas Lighting for 2005.
Cllr Ripley
replied that he had made contact with the appropriate officers and was
awaiting
details re timing, availability and costs. He was hopeful that he would
be able to
provide a progress report at the January meeting.
04/219 Matters
Arising
1.
Pinfold
The clerk reported
that Mr Bacon had visited the Pinfold and reported that the fallen tree was of
considerable size and needed removing professionally.
Cllr Ripley had
contacted the tree preservation officer, Steve Waterson, and was hopeful that
WMDC would remove the tree, relocating it to Santingley Opencast where a
feature could be made of it.
2. Youth Problem
The clerk reported
the Mr Myers had agreed to meet with members early in the New Year, perhaps a
sub committee of members could visit school.
Members thought it
better that Mr Myers attended the next council meeting, this would enable the
Police to join the debate.
The clerk to liase
with Mr Myers.
04/220 Community
Facilities - Convenors Report
1. Parish Centre
The clerk reported that four
quotations had now been received, the most competitive being £6,542.01 plus
VAT.
The clerk indicated that he
needed to clarify a couple of matters with the contractor but felt that council
should be able to engage the contractor.
It was agreed that the matter
be left in the hands of the clerk and chairman, work to commence as soon as
possible.
2. Village Centre
Cllr Makin reported that there
was nothing of significance to mention this month.
04/221 Allotments
- Convenors Report
1.
Hare Park
Cllr Hewitt
reported that has Mr Davies had not been in touch with the clerk, he would
contact him direct.
2.
Oak Street
Cllr Hewitt reported that Cllr
Vorus and himself had met with the Pest Control Officer at Oak Street
following a report of a
possible siting of a rat.
The outcome of the meeting was
that no evidence of an infestation could be found.
04/222 Parish
Cemetery - Convenors Report
Cllr Schofield
reported that someone had broken into the garage by smashing through the roof,
nothing had been stolen and temporary repairs to the roof had been made.
Cllr Schofield was
now investigating the most cost effective way of repairing/renewing the roof
and would report back to the January meeting.
The chairman
thanked Cllr Schofield for all his efforts.
T & D have
still not made a start on removing the trees.
04/223 Special
Services - Convenors Report
Nothing to report.
04/224 Road Traffic Issues
The clerk reported that he contacted WMDCs Highways for an update following the meeting held
between highways officers and parish councillors in march.
As yet no reply had been received; Cllr Cummings has agreed to follow up the matter.
04/225 War
Memorial
The clerk reported
that he had arranged for Alan Wood to contact the chairman with a view of
assessing the work at the memorial.
Oxley Smith are to
assess what works need carrying out on the memorial itself and the clerk is
attempting to obtain a quote for cleaning the base.
04/226 Cleansing
Cllr Jacques reported that the judging of the Keep Crofton Tidy Poster Competition had been concluded and copies of the overall winning poster laminated for display throughout the parish.
It was suggested that the Wakefield Express be asked to run an article on the competition featuring a photograph of the winning entry, the artiste and the Parish Council Chairman.
This was agreed on the proviso that the artiste’s parents consented, the clerk to make the necessary arrangements.
The clerk reported that he had received no reply from John Skidmore as yet.
04/227 Planning
a. App No
04/99/67934 – Extension of Communications Tower at Oakenshaw Grange Farm
The above
application was a new submission the previous application (67627) having been
withdrawn on15 November.
It was agreed that
the parish Council write to the Planning department again supporting of Mr
Murphy’s objections to the proposed extension. Seeking clarification over the
type of mast now to be erected (is it a Tetra mast?) whilst highlighting the
reported effects Tetra masts may have on human health.
b. Farnham Way
Cllr Chalkley
raised the issue of vehicles parking in the turning circle at the end of
Farnham Way causing an obstruction and preventing the area being used for the
purpose for which it was designed.
It was agreed that
the highways enforcement officer and planning officers be contacted over the
matter.
c. Other applications
All other applications received
during the period were found to be acceptable.
04/228 Financial
Matters
Accounts
The following accounts were
submitted and approved for payment.
£
Mrs Dodson 54.70
Mrs Hardwick 284.44
Vale 182.43 (Plaques)
WMDC 714.40 (Scouts Premise Rentals)
Yorkshire Water 172.73 (Allotments)
19.95 (Parish Centre)
Mr Jacques 34.80 (KCT Posters)
04/229 Correspondence
Wakefield MDC - Council
Minutes
- Standards
Committee Minutes
- Standards
Committee, notice of Local determination.
- Community
Assembly, Minutes and agenda
- Local Access
Forum
- Draft lease,
former library site.
04/230 Parish
Matters
1. Christmas Tree
Members again
expressed dismay over the standard of lighting on the Christmas Tree,
especially as the standard throughout the authority seems to have improved this
year.
The clerk to
communicate members views to the relevant officers.
04/231 Date
of next Meeting
Tuesday 18th January
2005.
04/232 Matters
Discussed in Private
None discussed.
Chairman 18th
January 2005.